Alabama

'Little Giants' was the trick play that started to transform Spartans into champions

Michigan State tight end Charlie Gantt looks back to find himself alone as he scores the game-winning touchdown on a 29-yard pass reception off a fake field goal during overtime of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 34-31. (AP Photo / Al Goldis)

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Trick plays have nifty nicknames at Michigan State.

"Mouse Trap" was the pass on a fake field goal that helped the Spartans rally from a 17-0 deficit to a 35-27 victory over Northwestern to preserve an undefeated season.

But "Little Giants" is the one that will go down in Michigan State history as the signature play in an 11-1 season that will end at noon Saturday in a Capital One Bowl game against Alabama (9-3).

It was a 29-yard touchdown pass from holder and punter Aaron Bates to tight end Charlie Gantt on a fake field-goal attempt that lifted the Spartans to an electrifying 34-31 overtime victory over Notre Dame.

"It's definitely something that set the tone for our season," guard Joel Foreman said. "I don't necessarily think it was the most defining moment of our season, but it was definitely an exciting play that made a difference at the national level."

Made a difference?

"We won on a crazy play that was on ESPN for the longest time," said running back Le'Veon Bell, who played a big role in executing the play. "It was one of the greatest plays to happen at Michigan State. It meant a lot. It kept us undefeated.

"That game definitely gave us momentum. It was a big game. It was a night game. We rarely have night games. For us to win a night game against a rival in that kind of fashion, it's crazy. It was the best experience of my life."

And he isn't even the player who caught the pass, although he was the intended target.

"The funny thing about that is, we ran the play six times in practice, and the ball went to Bell all six times," tight ends coach Mark Staten said.

But the play was not perfectly executed.

Gantt said he was tired. Bell admitted he was nervous. Gantt was supposed to hit the defender who was guarding Bell, but that Notre Dame player fell down. Bell was knocked down and in the process took out the defender who was guarding Gantt.

"It looked like a great block," Bell said.

It looked chaotic to Gantt.

"I somehow slipped through to the outside, and Aaron Bates read that Le'Veon wasn't open," Gantt said. "He threw me a perfect pass. I couldn't have been more wide open. I caught it on the 10-yard line. I'm so glad I caught that ball.

"I probably wouldn't be liked very much by Spartan Nation if I hadn't caught that ball. It was surreal. I couldn't believe it. I threw the ball up and just waited for my teammates to come celebrate."

That was nearly 15 weeks ago. The most memorable moment in a magical season still resonates.

"It's amazing," Gantt said. "I've been asked this question like 50 million times. It never gets old. I'll always remember it. I'm just happy to be a part of Spartan history."

Foreman also is amazed at the buzz that started to propel the Spartans.

"We all thought it was just a cool play called 'Little Giants,'" he said. "I didn't think it would really be that big a deal. Now people are getting posters of the movie and getting them signed."

"Little Giants" indeed was a giant of a play, and there was nothing little about its impact. Michigan State not only went into that game unranked with a 2-0 record, but 37 teams had received more votes in the latest Associated Press poll. The following week, the Spartans were ranked No. 25 and were on their way to winning a share of the Big Ten Conference championship.

Head coach Mark Dantonio came up with the play's nickname.

"The 'Little Giants' came to be on the Thursday before the game," Staten said. "He goes, 'I've got one. Let's call it "Little Giants.'" The kids all love that movie.' "

Staten definitely believes the play was pivotal.

"You have to have a game like that where it clicked," he said. "Something happened where they were like, 'OK, we can overcome.' They knew that throughout the year."

Who knows what tricks the Spartans have planned for the Capital One Bowl?

Former Michigan State coach Bobby Williams coaches Alabama's special teams.

"Every week we're always trying to prepare for tricks in the kicking game," Williams said. "We're going to have to be alert at all times, because they've done a great job, and they've executed well. We're going to have to be ready for that."